Sparkle Session: Kathryn and Protect Your Pumps

Welcome ladies, ladies, and the 18.2% of you who are of the male variety. Today is the third installment of my interview series Sparkle Sessions. This morning I am excited to introduce you to an amazing entrepreneur who has devoted her life to shoes. She started her business only three years ago but Kathryn Jackson and her company, Protect Your Pumps, have already reached women in over 60 countries. The product has been featured on the TODAY Show, SHAPE Magazine, Chicago Sun Times, Refinery29 and a host of other publications.

I first found the brand when I did this Pinterest project with my black and teal peep toes – painting the bottom with nail polish gave such a great pop of color but one flight of stairs later they were all scuffed up – enter, Protect Your Pumps. I bought a single pair of these clear, non-slip transparent adhesive stickers on the bottom and that was the head of that problem. Protect Your Pumps serves as a buffer between the bottom of your shoe and the ground, protecting your them from dirt, grime, unattractive scratches and scrapes.Last month Kathryn asked for feedback on her website and through her correspondence I asked if she would be willing to be interview for my blog – how awesome since she said yes!

Who are you?

My name is Kathryn Jackson. I’m a business owner who has a bit of a shoe obsession.

What do you do?

I am the Founder of Protect Your Pumps.

Where do you it?

In my hometown Milwaukee,WI

Why Did You Start Protect Your Pumps?

About 2 1/2 years ago I was a sales associate at Neiman Marcus in Chicago,IL. I worked in the contemporary department right next to women’s shoes. One thing I noticed was that women were frequently coming in to get their shoes resoled because they soles would get damaged so quickly. I went home to my closet and noticed all of the soles of my favorite shoes were also very run down looking. I thought there has to be a simple solution to this. Regardless of if you spend $100 on a pair of shoes or a $1000 that is an investment and I want to help women make sure they can keep that pair of shoes in good condition for a long time.

A side-by-side comparison

Five words to describe yourself:

Blessed, Thoughtful, Creative, Passionate and Ambitious

What is the most glamorous aspect of your work?

The best part of my work is being able to connect and build relationships with so many amazing women around the world. I’ve been inspired by so many of my customers who are smart, savvy and stylish ladies.

What is one lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way?

I’ve modified the famous line in Field of Dreams to read, if you build it they will come but only if you go get them. I initially underestimated the importance of marketing and how necessary it is to always be trying new techniques to stay fresh.

What advice would you offer aspiring creatives?

The best advice is start up and just keeping going. I know it sounds simple but the ability to keep pushing forward is so important. It is also important for creatives to understand the basics of business. It is one thing to create cool items it is another to sell them. If you want to be in the fashion or any creative business you must learn them both. They go hand in hand. I recommend reading Unlabel by Marc Ecko it is a great book for creative business owners.

Where would you like to see your business in five years?

I’d like to see the company staying true to our mission of helping women protect their shoe investments. I’d like to expand into some other product lines for women who love shoes.

If you had your pick, who do you envision as your first celebrity brand ambassador?

I’d have to say Sarah Jessica Parker. We all fell in love with Carrie Bradshaw and could relate to her obsession with shoes. Both Carrie B and the real life SJP have incredible taste in shoes and need the soles saved from the NYC streets.

Favorite quote?

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Aristotle

What is something post people do not know about you?

In addition to being a business owner, I’m also a lawyer.

But opted for building my own company instead of working for a big law firm.

Fine Print

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